The UK Government is set to increase the threshold for solar energy developments in the NSIP planning system, meaning that projects generating between 50MW and 100MW will now be considered by local councils and councillors.
This change aims to accelerate renewable energy development by reducing financial burdens and expediting approval processes.
While developers operating in this bracket will no longer have to follow the rigorous NSIP pre-application consultation rules, they will have to face local, politicised decision-making.
These larger projects will attract more publicity, impact a larger number of people, and potentially face increased objections: the visual and cumulative impact are greater, more agricultural land is taken up, the construction disruption is greater.
But the positive messaging is also amplified: more homes powered, a big contribution to net zero, larger community benefit funds.
As developers prepare for medium-sized solar farms under the TCPA regime, impactful consultation should be a core part of the strategy
Data and digital to find supportive voices
Cavendish’s recent report, “Like, Comment, Build,” highlights that 62% of people who engage with local planning applications prefer to do so digitally, either through websites or social media surveys. This trend is particularly strong among younger adults, with Millennials and Gen Z predominantly using social media to find information about their area. This digital-first approach is crucial for capturing the voices of those who are more likely to be positive about renewable energy, but less likely to attend traditional consultation events.
Cavendish has local authority level data on how and where people are engaging with planning applications. This local insight also extends to understanding key issues and priorities. Understanding these local nuances lets us tailor our engagement strategies effectively.
For example, in Fenland, 24% of people get their information on local development from social media, making it the most common source of information in the local authority. The most popular social media platform is Facebook followed by Instagram in distant second, while TikTok is not significantly used. Developers bringing forward proposals in this area should prioritise advertising consultations via social media over traditional media and should consider supplementing traditional feedback forms with social media surveys to gather feedback.
Our data defines your audience, tells you where they show up, and what is most important to them. It transforms your communications and engagement strategy, enabling you to reach more people, speak in their arena, and address their hopes and fears.
By breaking down these insights by demographics, we can segment our messaging to improve targeting – and support-gathering campaigns – more effectively.
Translating insight into action
Our digital tools and insight platform augment traditional engagement methods, addressing the challenge of reaching people in a digital age.
Using our digital-first approach, we recently helped get planning consent on a solar project in the Midlands. We launched a social campaign that attracted 16,000 views and 1,400 clicks, resulting in nearly 80% of consultation responses outlining support for the proposals. Following submission of the planning application, our digital campaign generated over 35 supportive comments – against zero objections – on the planning file from the community and local stakeholders.
Ensure you are shaping the conversation
As solar farms between 50MW and 100MW start to fall under the local planning system, communities and local councillors will have an increased ability to influence the planning process. Opposition groups have been growing in recent years, and they are learning through each other through umbrella opposition organisations like the Solar Alliance.
It is important to listen to concerns and objections, but it will be increasingly important to engage broadly with local communities. This will find supportive voices and allow you to extoll accurate and compelling messaging about your projects.
Robust engagement can be the make-or-break for solar applications, and our bespoke tools and insights can help your application achieve planning consent.
To learn more about our Cavendish can support your solar and BESS projects, please get in touch here.
